Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Pasta (Print)

Oven-baked dish blending tender chicken, pumpkin sauce, and cheese for a cozy family meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

→ Pasta

02 - 12 ounces short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 cup baby spinach (optional)

→ Dairy & Cheese

07 - 1 cup milk
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
10 - ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - ½ teaspoon dried sage
12 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
13 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
14 - ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
15 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
16 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Optional Topping

17 - ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
18 - 2 tablespoons melted butter

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil salted water and cook pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Stir in pumpkin puree, milk, and heavy cream. Add sage, thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently, stirring until smooth.
05 - Add ¾ cup mozzarella and all parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir until melted and creamy.
06 - Add cooked chicken, baby spinach if using, and drained pasta to the sauce. Toss to combine evenly.
07 - Transfer mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup mozzarella on top.
08 - Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle evenly over casserole.
09 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Using pumpkin in the sauce adds a surprisingly velvety richness that sneaks vegetables onto everyone's plate.
  • The golden cheese crust and satisfying textures have made this my go-to for last-minute dinner guests.
02 -
  • Once, I baked too long and the top over-crisped—always check at the 20-minute mark for the perfect crust.
  • Mixing the panko with butter takes seconds but transforms the topping into a savory crown instead of bland crumbs.
03 -
  • Always undercook your pasta just slightly—baking finishes it to perfection without any mush.
  • Rub dried herbs between your palms before adding to release their essential oils and flavor.
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